BC Multicultural Photograph Collection

This collection of photographs depicts the contributions of immigrants and First Nations peoples to BC. The photographs feature significant events and activities such as the development of Vancouver’s Chinatown, the Chinese contribution to railroad construction in B.C., East Indians and the Komagata Maru incident, the fishing industry and Japanese Canadians, the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II, and the art, lifestyles, and working and living conditions of Indigenous peoples. There are also pictures of notable individuals.

There are 1,500 images in this collection in a variety of formats including glass negatives, cellulose negatives, and prints. The images date from the late 1890s to 1962, and were taken by numerous individuals. Some were used in publications such as the Province newspaper. Well-known photographers include Leonard Frank, Philip Timms, Cecil B. Wand, and Stuart Thomson; but many are by unknown photographers or are signed by a corporate photography company. Together they provide a rare glimpse into British Columbia’s ethnic traditions, buildings, events, family life and inter-group contact.